Chapter 4

The Invasion of Hyrule

Ganondorf appeared at the gates of Hyrule Castle. He made sure he had also teleported his horse to the stables then headed in the castle. So that girl he had seen before in the castle halls was worth more than he had previously suspected.

Ganondorf could sense his goal close... So close. Still, before making his betrayal clear, he had work that needed to be done. He ignored the servants' offers to guide him to the king. As he stepped onto the second floor, he could smell chicken cooking and savoring wafts coming from the Royal Kitchens. He paused just a moment to smell the foods cooking, then he continued on his way. Soon he reached the throne room. To his befuddlement he found it empty. Only several guards milling about were to be seen.

The Gerudo King looked about the throne room. He commanded of the soldier closest to him to inform him of King Daphnes' location. They replied that the king was presently in the Tactic Room and wished for Ganondorf to see him as soon as he had returned to Hyrule Castle. Ganondorf merely nodded and turned back. Then he paused once more. "Which Tactic Room?" he called behind him.

"First floor." they replied.

Ganondorf frowned, thinking carefully. The Tactic Room on the first floor. But that room was used only when... His frown changed into a grin. So King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule had called out a total war. Perfect. This brought up the perfect distraction Ganondorf needed.

Quickly he made his way to the enormous balcony, taking steps down its staircase, two at a time. At the foot of the granite and marble steps, he took a turn, making his way to the colossal door that gave entrance to the fifth floor. He didn't break a single stride, simply opening the door before him with the power of darkness.

Disliking the foul winds that blew outside the palace walls, he released the magic once he was inside. He passed the fourth and third floor halls without pause.

When he reached the second floor, he took a cream roll off the tray a passing servant was carrying to the Dining Hall and stuffed it in his mouth. After he finished eating the pastry he continued his journey to the first floor, marveling at how similar many of the Hylians' foods were to that of the realm from which he had come.

As he let my legs carry him down the last flight of stairs, Ganondorf remembered his life from the domain he had come. Who had been his enemy back then? Who's realm in power had he tried to take? Ah, yes, his head enemy was that so called king. He was quite a fool. At least Hyrule gave him more of a challenge. How many times had Ganondorf been thwarted here? At least thrice as many times as when he had crushed Maligant and almost claimed that other kingdom. Of course that blasted buffoon of a wizard that worked for the king had sealed Ganondorf away by a cursed portal.

'Enough of that! That has passed!' Dragmire thought as he stepped before the twin doors on the first floor's east wing that lead to the Tactic Room. He noticed a man in some white and tan clothing with black gauntlets on his hands. Apparently he wasn't the only latecomer to the meeting. As Ganondorf gazed at him he saw that on the center of his chest he bore the symbol of the Triforce. However, the man's face wasn't visible due to a hood covering his head. They turned their head a bit towards Ganondorf but only enough for the Gerudo to see the faint gleam of eyes.

The unknown man took a step towards the doors and gave a single,but firm, knock. There were some noises from within the room beyond. Then there was silence for several moments.

Abruptly the doors were opened inward by two Hylian guards. Ganondorf, joined by the other man, entered the room. Instantly they left Ganondorf, joining Daphnes and his generals. They leaned towards the king and whispered something in his ear. Even with my power, I couldn't hear his voice. What was Daphnes being so secretive about? The doors behind him quietly were shut.

When they moved from the king, Ganondorf stepped forward and knelt upon a single knee, bowing. Suddenly he heard a noise and turned his head to the right where there was a window. In it, he saw a young, green-capped child. Ganondorf gazed for a moment directly into his eyes with suspicion. With him, the Gerudo King saw the young Princess Zelda.

Finally he tore his eyes away and stood, moving away from the window to a spot where he couldn't be spied upon by eavesdropping children. "You summoned me, my liege." he stated, crossing his arms.

Daphnes nodded. "Indeed I did, Ganondorf. An urgent matter is upon us." The king looked very grave. "I'm sure that you remember the last war."

Ganondorf's eyebrows furrowed, his muscles tensing. The Great Hylian War among the Fourth Age of the Second Cataclysmal Wars for the Triforce? Of course Ganondorf remembered them. How could he forget them? "...Of course. Yes, I remember the Fourth Age that brought the Second Cataclysmal Wars." Why did the king mention this? "Why do you ask?"

Daphnes own brows, were also furrowed but it seemed not just confusion but partially anger. "At Hyrule's southern borders, at the home of our allies, the Kokiri, and our own settlement of Ordon Village reported organized attacks from our neighbor, Termina, some time ago..." he began.

"Termina, you say? Hmm... What they are up to?" Ganondorf wondered aloud.

"We wondered that often, too. So we sent at troop of our soldiers down to the Faron, Eldin, and Kokiri Provinces to investigate and possibly return with some answers." The king made a small motion to the guards at the door, who opened them. "They came up with many more answers than we anticipated, General Dragmire. What do you make of this?"

The Gerudo King turned to find a lone red-haired woman, struggling against her captors grasps being dragged in the room. It was a Gerudo. When the soldiers threw her in the room, Ganondorf stepped out of the way to the right, allowing the Gerudo Pirate to fly past him and land on the marble floor.

Ganondorf gave the golden-eyed Gerudo a piercing look. What was the meaning of this? "Well from what I see," he said as the Gerudo turned her bruised face to him, "this is one of the Gerudo Pirates from Termina and from I can tell it seems to me that the pirates there have made a parley with the rest of Termina and has joined their troops in attacking the Golden Lands."

The Gerudo King turned his own golden eyes back to the King of Hyrule. "i see. What would you say, Ganondorf, if I said that you had better explain to me why exactly your troops have joined Termina and attacked Hyrule, breaking our accord, which I dearly wish to know."

Ganondorf's eyes widened in disbelief. "Your Majesty...?!" he protested but when the king replied with a hard look Ganondorf complied. "My lord, I have no power over the Gerudo that have decided to reside in Vermin..."

"Ganondorf, correct me if I am wrong, but to my knowledge you are presently the Gerudo King." countered Daphnes.

"I may be the King of the Gerudo Thieves, however, I have no power over those Gerudo that live in Termina. They left my legions long ago, and those who betrayed my people were banished from the Great Desert and Hyrule. They too fled to Termina. I swore that if any were to ever return they would be executed for betraying their people and king." He waved a hand at the pirate. "...Her master isn't I. Personally, I have no connection whatsoever with their leader nor any knowledge of who they are."

The king thanked Ganondorf for the information then looked towards the hooded man once more. "Send the army out over the outer plains to Termina." They nodded, still never lowering their hood, and headed to the exit. Suddenly the king spoke again, looking at Ganondorf. Ganondorf turned his head quickly back to the king. "Ganondorf, I will be joining the army to Termina. While I'm gone, I request that you stay in my place as Lord of Hyrule Castle. Temporarily, of course."

Ganondorf's eyes widened once more. The king was putting the realm in his hands?! Impossible... He made to speak. Behind him the hooded man paused, looking to Ganondorf. Then he continued on his way. "My Lord... I can not possibly accept this task you assign me to."

"General Dragmire, you give yourself less credit then deserved."

"But..."

"Do not refuse this." Daphnes said.

Ganondorf looked to the ground for a moment. Then he looked back to King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule. "Very well. I accept this task I am assigned."

"Good. You are dismissed." The king said. Ganondorf went back onto one knee once more, bowing.

The Gerudo King stood, turning heel, attempting to ignore the Gerudo Pirate that remained there. Behind him he heard her yell, "This is a mistake! You cannot leave Ganondorf in power of Hyrule! Termina will attack and Hyrule will completely on its unawares to begin the Third Cataclysmal War for the Triforce! You mustn't!" As Ganondorf continued to walk the Gerudo began to scream again. For a moment he paused to enjoy the moment when the guards that had brought her in dragged her passed him. She screamed at Ganondorf as she was dragged, "You monster. You two-faced, demon thief, beast! You can't fool me! The Hyrulians maybe dim-witted but I can see through your lies!" With the guards facing away, and no one but the Gerudo to see him, he grinned. Just by seeing his face one could easily tell what he was up to. It seemed to enrage her even more. "You vile fiend! You aren't even Gerudo! You have no right as their king!"

At this Ganondorf frowned. He walked to her, dismissing all guards and soldiers from the Hyrule Castle Mezzanine, even though a few looked at him and the Gerudo curiously, wondering what she had meant. Once they were completely alone, Ganondorf grabbed her by the neck, slamming her into the opposing wall. "Gerudo, where did you learn that?" he growled. She merely smiled back at him.

Seeing it come to no use, he tossed her aside like a rag doll. Not even one of those tasty buns the servants carried around the upper floors could relieve his anger. He walked towards the staircase but paused at the foot of the case. He looked to the woman. "Dare you mention that to anyone, girl, I will learn of it, personally find you, and when dominion over the Sacred Realm is mine, I will kill you."

Ganondorf sat in the chair at the table's end where the king usually sat, in the Council Room. He hadn't thought of the paperwork that came with the job. He was alone in the room, reading documents through slightly misted reading glasses. 'Higher pay wage... Checked. More security...Checked. Sign here. Blah blah blah... Didn't I already sign this form?' He sighed, picking up the documents and tossing them in the lit fireplace.

He stood, turning to the exit, which he strode through silently. Ganondorf headed down the staircases, ignoring the wonderful smells of food that could distract him. As he headed from the second floor, Ganondorf was joined by several guards. He asked, with a tired voice, "Where is Princess Zelda?"

The soldier in Ganondorf's front right replied without facing him or even breaking a stride, "Princess Zelda and her caretaker, Miss Impa, are riding out to explore Hyrule."

Suddenly Ganondorf paused and the back two guards nearly ran into the ones before them. In quick recession Ganondorf began giving out orders, his tiredness completely gone. He pointed to three of the soldiers, saying, "Ready my horse so that I can ride as soon as I've reached the gardens." Ganondorf said to the last guard, "Bring me my sword." Soon enough what he asked for, he had and it was strapped to his leg like usual.

He exited the castle to the gardens. There he found his horse ready. With much agility, he mounted the horse as the castle guards opened the gates. Instantly he rode out to Castle Town. With all haste, he rode past the fountain and galloped out of the southern city gates.

When he saw how far off the princess' white horse was, he knew he couldn't reach her and stopped his armored horse. Soon it vanished into the darkness. Ganondorf's own horse reared up in the air, but he easily managed to stay on.

He cursed, yelling in rage, "Arrrrgh! I lost her!" To his left, he saw standing near the dirt path a young, green-clad child. He turned his gaze towards the boy. "You, over there! Little kid! You must have seen the white horse gallop past just now... Which way did it go?! Answer me!" The child took a step away from Ganondorf, not speaking. Ganondorf grinned. "So, you think you can protect them from me... You've got guts, kid."

Even as he spoke, Ganondorf saw him taking out a small blade and a wooden shield. Ganondorf laughed at the futile attempt to scare him. "You want a piece of me?! Very funny!" he sneered. Then he gave the boy praise by saying, "I like your attitude!" He raised a single palm in the air. Burning the very rain that fell from the sky, darkness gathered together in his hand. The light around it was absorbed and it continued to grow until the obscure sphere had grown white from the violent energy that it pulsed with. Finally, when he felt that the Sphere of Darkness had gathered just enough strength to teach that kid a lesson he launched at him. Instantly, he flew back.

When the child was leaning on the ground with his elbows and looking at the Gerudo King once more, Dragmire growled, "Pathetic little fool! Do you realize who you are dealing with?! I am Ganondorf! And soon, I will rule the world!" Ganondorf faced south once more, and rode off.

Several kilometers away, he stopped once more. He sensed something. The Sacred Realm had been opened! Ganondorf turned his horse to look towards Hyrule Castle. Grinning, he warped his army there. That child was worth more than he had bargained for! The invasion of Hyrule had begun. Ganondorf latched himself to the gateway to the Sacred Realm, and warped.

Instantly everything about him vanished and was replaced by a white light. He looked down and saw a dirt ground covered everywhere by fog. He looked about and found, to no avail, nothing. Where was the Triforce?!

Ganondorf calmed himself. He just wasn't looking in the way he ought to have been. He closed his eyes, activating his dark power. It was right before him! Ganondorf stretched out his hand and grabbed...

He began to laugh. His voice began to echo through the realms. Ganondorf aimed his words at that child. 'Excellent work! As I thought, you held the keys to the Door of Time! You have led me to the gates of the Sacred Realm... Yes... I owe it all to you, kid!'